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 Anthony Kim, shown here at the 2009 Chevron World Challenge, finished second at the Honda Classic, his first top-10 finish since the RBC Canadian Open last July (PHOTO: Eddie Meeks). It’s tough to say — the Los Angeles native isn’t exactly the most predictable player on the PGA Tour. Kim finished second at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., over the weekend, well behind winner Camilo Villegas. But he still felt good about the performance, his first top-10 finish since tying for third after a sloppy final round at the RBC Canadian Open last July. “It was a good week. I’m excited with the progress going into next week,” Kim said, referring to this week’s marquee World Golf Championships-CA Championship at Doral. “I think I’m just trying to peak for the majors this year. Obviously I want to play well every week. But the Masters is the tournament I’m looking forward to.” Trying to peak at the majors is one thing, but for Kim, being on the first page of the leaderboard again has to be encouraging. The 24-year-old hasn’t picked up a win since his banner two-victory campaign of 2008. Since then, his notoriety on Tour has been less the result of his on-course performance and more due to a series of curious nagging injuries, a globetrotting schedule that’s avoided many concurrent American tournaments — including some in his native Southern California — and resurfacing rumors of an excessive party lifestyle. Before the Honda, there were signs 2010 would be an improvement over a disappointing 2009. Although Kim’s finishes at his first two ’10 PGA Tour events — a tie for 52nd at the Northern Trust Open and a tie for 24th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open — didn’t seem like much, each effort contained three stellar rounds negated by one horrid score. At Riviera, rounds of 71-66-69 were spoiled by a closing 78. In Phoenix, a third-round 76 tarnished a 36-hole total of 67-65 and diminished the value of a final-round 67. His progression at the Honda Classic was similar. After tying the course record with a 64 in the second round and holding a share of the lead with Villegas headed to the weekend, he regressed with a 3-over-par 73 Saturday. But crediting a more mature perspective, he closed with a 3-under 67 Sunday. “Yesterday I wanted to break every club in the bag, but then I wouldn’t have had a set to play with today, so I’m glad that I didn’t,” said Kim. “You’ve got to put things in perspective, and unfortunately last year I was injured and had to deal with some bad golf, a bad attitude and lack of practice. I know I’m putting in the time, and good golf will come, because I know that I have the ability to do it.” If he continues his superb ballstriking at Doral, Kim could again find himself in contention — he tied for eighth at Honda in driving accuracy and tied for ninth in greens in regulation. Here are other Southern Californians scheduled to compete in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral. Phil Mickelson. The San Diegan, who outlasted Nick Watney to win last year, has yet to break 70 in all four rounds at any event in 2010. Hunter Mahan. Now that the talented Orange native notched his first win since 2007, the question now becomes how long it will take for him to collect career victory No. 3. Kevin Na. Besides top-10 finishes at the Bob Hope Classic and Northern Trust Open, the former Diamond Bar resident hasn’t cracked the top 50 at any other stroke-play event in 2010. Local Focus is an online-only weekly analysis of the PGA Tour and other national circuits from a Southern California perspective. OTHER LOCAL FOCUS FEATURES: Local players to watch at Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic Southern Californians at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Winners and losers from Southern California portion of West Coast Swing |
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